Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

1. I would liketo embracethe worldin a networkof charity Bl. Frédéric Ozanam Society of Saint Vincent de Paul TWINNING

2. Twinning- Definition Twinning is a “Special Work” of mutual assistance, which is rooted at the foundation of the Society, on the principle that “all monies collected in the name of the Society anywhere, belong, in principle, to the poor of the world”.

3. Twinning – Three objectives • To help Conferences and Councils spiritually, morally and materially by: • Alleviating misery and hunger, • Promoting social justice anywhere in the world, • Encouraging solidarity within the Society throughout the world. • To facilitate communications between Conferences and Councils. • Encourage friendship and solidarity. • To promote the establishment of new Conferences.

4. Designated Countries Conferences/Councils Waiting Twinned • Antigua (English) 3 0 • Colombia (Spanish) 9 6 • Commonwealth of Dominica (English) 11 1 • Dominican Republic (Spanish) 15 14 • El Salvador (Spanish) 3 0 • Grenada (English) 4 0 • Guatemala (Spanish) 9 0 • Haiti (French) 35 10 • Jamaica (English) 14 1 • Nicaragua (Spanish) 6 0 • Peru (Spanish) 10 1 • Saint Lucia (English) 3 0 • Trinidad & Tobago (English) 14 0

5. Designated Countries Haiti / Dominican Republic Antigua Jamaica Dominica St. Lucia Guatemala El Salvador Grenada Nicaragua Trinidad & Tobago Colombia Peru

6. PriorityTwinning Applicationsby Countries Spanish Speaking Countries: • Dominican Republic • Colombia English Speaking Countries: • Jamaica • Commonwealth of Dominica  French Speaking Country: • Haiti

7. Socialjustice → Systemic Change  • Helping the poorest of the poor in developing countries (Charity). • Partnership to evolve to projects (small to large) to help poor emerge from poverty. • Partnership to seek permanent change in their life by supporting local/community initiatives. • Twinning a means to lift poor from poverty, with/by poor.    • Charity is not complete without justice (systemic change projects).

8. Twinning Project • Twinning is well established and you have a good ongoing communication with your twin. • Your twin needs $3,000 or more to complete a project. • Your twin must fill in the International Twinning Project Application form, available on our web site at www.ssvp.ca, and submit it to its superior council. • Twinning representatives in the twinning country and in Canada must approve the project. • Your twin has to submit a report at the end of the project. • Once the project has been completed, regular twinning activities continue as usual. • If needed, another project can be launched.

9. Access to potable water - Nicaragua Construction of 2 cisterns and water distribution to 30 families,

10. Sewing Project - Haiti

11. Daycare - Colombia

12. Steps to Follow for New Twinning • Your Conference must be aggregated. • Your Conference must have a CRA (Revenue Agency) Charity Number. • To fill the Twinning Application Form (1 page) available on the website www.ssvp.ca or by writing to Administrative Assistant at twinning@ssvp.ca or telephone 1.866.997.7787; • Forward completed form to address indicated on the form.

13. Steps to Follow for New Twinning • The National Twinning Rep approves the twinning. • You will receive full details about your new twinning Conference or Council as well as Guidelines and Transmission of Funds Form. • You can have more than one (1) twinning partner.

14. How to send funds to your twins? • Send a cheque with completed Transmission of Funds Form to National Council Office: Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
National Council of Canada
2463 Innes Road, Ottawa ON K1B 3K3 You can send your contributions for the whole year in one cheque; the Administrative Assistant will send the funds to your twins at each of the 4 semesters.

15. How to send funds to your twins? • Funds are electronically transferred to the recipient Superior Council of the twinning partner. The Superior Council distribute the funds to the twinning Conferences and Councils. • Funds are sent four times a year: • February • May • August • November • The Administrative Assistant sends a letter to you as soon as the funds have been transferred.

16. Correspondence • To correspond at least twice a year with your twinning partner by: • Mail; • E-mail; • Telephone; • Skype. • A regular exchange of correspondence between twins reinforces links of friendship and understanding. • If possible, communicate in the language of your twins. • Google Translation for messages received. • If you don’t have a translator, we can help you at the National Council.

17. Correspondence • Information exchanges can be about mutual experiences, local activities, personal interests, members and challenges. • Correspondence can also include photographs. • Please insist to receive responses on a regular basis, or at least once a year.

18. Correspondence • A regular exchange of correspondence reassures you that financial contributions have been received by your twins, and may identify potential issues in the partnership. • Please note that it may take several months before a response is received.

19. Problem? Contact us if you don’t have any answersfrom your twins: • Nicole Schryburt - Administrative Assistant: twinning@ssvp.ca • Clermont Fortin - National Twinning Chairperson: chair-twinning@ssvp.ca • Donna Thompson - BC & Yukon Twinning Rep: dthomps@shaw.ca • Chris Ryan - Atlantic Region Twinning Rep: christopherryan@nl.rogers.com • Guido Kelly, Ontario Region Twinning Rep: gumabradkelly@hotmail.com • Cathy Pidhirney, Western Region: pressvpst@gmail.com We will contact the National Twinning Chairperson of your twins.

20. How much funds should be sent? • The following contributions are recommended: Minimum: $400 per year Maximum: $3,000 per year • To ensure financial viability of your twinning partner, it is preferable to send contributions four times a year (each semester): from $100 to $750 per quarter. You can send your contributions for the whole year in one cheque; the Administrative Assistant will send the funds to your twins at each of the 4 semesters. $

21. Making a huge difference in the life of those served by recipient conference • The recipient conference has difficulty raising funds due to great poverty in community, most families struggling; • Twinning financial assistance is often the only meaningful source of revenue; • Regular contributions (quarterly) help in planning activities, ongoing basis; • Most developing countries have deficient social, educational and health government programs, people are on their own; • Makes a huge difference as material assistance to a larger number of persons/families living in misery;

22. Making a huge difference in the life of those served by recipient conference • With twinning contributions, help is provided to poorest of the poor: handicapped, shut-ins, sick people (ex. medication), seniors; • For school kids: to pay tuition fees, uniforms, books, and meals. Not covered by state and if not paid up, no schooling; • Canadian twins working in solidarity with brothers and sisters delivering basic assistance to those in need. A lifeline; • Small project may develop to help community improve quality of life, sustainability.

23. Is It Safe? • A signed receipt by the recipient Superior Council is required at each transfer of funds. • The Twinning Regional Coordinator for America meets with the twinning reps of our designated countries and has regular contact with them. • The Territorial VP is also in contact with them. • Every year, our National President meets with the other National Presidents at Council General International’s Annual Assembly. • The Canadian Twinning National Chairperson and administrative assistant are in constant communications with the Twinning Chairpersons of the Superior Councils of our designated countries.

24. Active Twinning per Region BC/Yukon Region: 19 Western Region: 13 Ontario Region: 89 Quebec Region: 26 Atlantic Region: 6 Canada: 153

25. Join our Facebook group : SSVP Canada Twinning-Jumelage

26. I would liketo embracethe worldin a networkof charity Bl. Frédéric Ozanam